TORONTO – November 26, 2010 – On behalf of the Canadian Ball Hockey Association, its Minor Council and the CBHA High Performance Committee we are proud to announce the 2010 U16 & U18 Junior Team Canada rosters for the 2nd World Junior Championships to be held in Most, Czech Republic in early June 2010.

As Canada captured gold in both the U16 & U18 inaugural (2008) world tournament in Zvolen, Slovakia, the Junior Team Canada Program will be sending 44 players along with 11 staff members to Most, Czech Republic to defend and regain gold at the 2010 world tournament.

The Junior Team Canada staff was very busy in 2009 scouting various events held across Canada. Thorough scouting of the Ontario Provincial Championships (Penetanguishene, Ontario), Western Challenge Cup (Calgary, Alberta), and the Junior Nationals (Edmonton, Alberta) led to the selections of both teams. For the 22 player U18 Division roster, 8 are returning from the 2008 U-16 World Champion­ship team. These players with international experience will be a good foundation in preparing for this high level tournament. Both 22 player rosters were selected throughout the country, not just on high calibre skills, but for their personalities and community backgrounds as well. As provinces like BC, Ontario and Alberta have had a strong presence on Junior Team Canada teams, we are happy to an­nounce that newly formed Saskatchewan Minor Ball Hockey League as well as Nova Scotia have players participating on their behalf. In Alberta, the young Hat Ball Hockey League (Medicine Hat) also is a contributor to the U16 roster with a player selected. It is this type of geographical coverage throughout the country that makes these teams true Junior Team Canada.

General Manager, Steve Dockerty, is returning for the 2010 Championships and had the following to say about how the program has taken shape. “Our 2010 squad will definitely be competing for the gold again. Even though we won double gold in 2008, the CBHA has been working hard to improve the program. We want players that will be part of the Team Canada family for years to come. A (CBHA) High Performance Program has been established to create continuity consisting of strong individuals across the country with involvement in the various national teams. George Gortsos, director of the program has set the tone and it will defi­nitely take the national program to the next level”. Asked about the coaching staff Dockerty says, “We have such a strong group of coaches, with Ian Poulson (ALB) and Greg St. Amant (ON) coaching the U18 team; and Carlo Carlucci (ON) and Dave Olafson (BC), coaching the U16 team. Poulson and Carlucci, head coaches of their respective teams both have international experience and are strong technical coaches, add in St. Amant and Olafson and we have an absolutely superb coaching team. Gary Slavin (BC) has joined the management team and provided immense value to the U16 & U18 program.”

Commenting on the goal of the the 2010 teams Dockerty adds, “Gary & I estab­lished a Mission Statement - To prepare and assemble a team of junior ball hockey players from Canada to compete for gold at the WJC. To field a team that sets extraor­dinary standards for competitiveness, sportsmanship and team continuity. To create a ‘life experience’ for members of JTC and officials.” Dockerty adds, “that truly is our goal, to compete for gold but also to set exceptional standards for the players and team officials. Ball Hockey is an amazing sport and these young men are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to compete with the best in the world and absorb the culture of Eastern European cities.” Dockerty concluded with “The ultimate goal is to ensure each player has a life experience that he can take with him for years to come.”

Assistant General Manager, Gary Slavin, was pleased with the scouting, selec­tion and acceptance of the players chosen for the clubs. “It was great to be able to scout these players from regional tournaments to the national tournament, you could see how every player’s game play was elevated in each step, and I look forward to seeing them play at the next level – the world’s.” Slavin was part of the U18 coaching staff in Slovakia and with that experience was an asset during the selection process of the two teams along with scouts and team staff. “It is not only what will take place on the floor for these young individuals, as most will be visit­ing the Czech Republic for the first time in their lives, it will be the culture they will encounter,” said Slavin. “As these young men grow up and have families it wont be the medals that they come home with that will be mostly remembered, it will be the experience of visiting this part of the world, and we as management want to make sure it truly is a trip of a lifetime for them” added Slavin.

“I am confident that the work that Steve and I have done during the off season will translate to a highly satisfying trip along with a good showing on the floor.” said Slavin. “As Steve and I visited the Czech Republic this past fall, all the little things have to be thought out, because once you start traveling with 55 bodies in a short period of time through three major Czech Republic cities, it all has to run smoothly from start to finish in order for these players to produce on the floor,” added Slavin.

People that tend to be missed in these types of announcements are the local coaches, associations and family members that have helped the players get to this level, along with these individuals all those that scouted for Junior Team Canada at regional and national events should take pride in this team, as they too played a big part in the team composition. One in particular is Norm Spitzer of Edmon­ton, Alberta. Spitzer was the 2008 U16 Head Coach that lead the team to the gold medal in Slovakia. Spitzer has been a huge asset to the Junior Team Canada scout­ing process over the years and for that we thank him.

“On behalf of the Canadian Ball Hockey Association, I would like to congratu­late the players and staff named today, along with their provincial associations, leagues, club teams, families, coaches and officials who have helped them along the way,” said Domenic DiGironimo, CBHA President. With that said, it is with great pride that we present you the 2010 U16 & U18 Junior Team Canada players & staff:

The Staff ~ General Manager: Steve Dockerty (Beeton, ON), Assistant General Man­ager: Gary Slavin (Maple Ridge, BC) U18 Head Coach: Ian Poulsen (Edmonton, ALB), U18 Assistant Coach: Greg St.Amant (Penetanguishene, ON), U16 Head Coach: Carlo Carlucci (Beeton, ON), Assistant U16 Coach: Dave Olafson (Maple Ridge, BC), Team Doctor: Dr. Carl Shearer (New Westminster, BC), Registered Physio & Massage Therapist: Sarah Bleichert (Winnepeg, MAN), Equipment Manager/Trainer: Matt Sands (Belleville, ON), U16 Mentor: Matt Clarke (Calgary, ALB) and U18 Mentor: Andrew Platt (Toronto, ON).

The U16 Team ~ Goalies: Mathew Hall (Penetanguishene, ON), Deepkaran Toor (Surrey, BC) ~ Defensemen: Eric Czernick (Langley, BC), Matt Lloyd (Aldergrove, BC), Jas Kahlon (Richmond, BC), Cody Lunnin (Edmonton, ALB), Brandon Frandsen (Penetanguishene, ON), Brendan Fetting (Beeton, ON), Brad Jacklin (Belleville, ON) ~ Forwards: Colin Catchpole (Delta, BC), Trevor Sidhu (New Westminster, BC), Devan Suidy (Langley, BC), Christopher Ceraldi (Langley, BC), Tyrel Goulbourne (Edmonton, ALB), Eric Meyer (Medicine Hat, ALB), Jetlan Houcher (Regina, SASK), Jessy Moreau (Penetanguishene, ON), Zack Skubnik (Beeton, ON), Justin Maiolino (Beeton, ON) Cam Nicoll (Beeton, ON), Cullen McGrath (Belleville, ON)

The U18 Team ~ Goalies: Andrew Bogosky (Penetanguishene, ON), Joseph Pianta (Toronto, ON) ~ Defensemen: Matt Carlucci (Beeton, ON), Jason Shaw (Belleville, ON), Andy Doxtator (Belleville, ON), Jason Seeley (Barrie, ON), Ryan Blaauwendraut (Turro, NS), Tyler Marchand (Penetanguishene, ON), Kory Brown (Beeton, ON) ~ Forwards: Keenan Monkhouse (Delta, BC), Caleb Belter (Edmonton, ALB), Dillon Simpson (Edmonton, ALB), Ryan Lelievre (Edmonton, ALB), Darcy Greenaway (Belleville, ON), Jack Davison (Belleville, ON), Evan Greer (Belleville, ON), Daniel Tedesco (Toronto, ON), Jacob Robitaille (Penetanguishene, ON), Kristoff Kontos (Penetanguishene, ON), Derick Robertson (Penetanguishene, ON), Ryan Johnson (Barrie, ON)